Is Alan Pardew the reason for this outstanding success?
When Mike Ashley sacked Chris Hughton and appointed Pardew the fans were livid. Ashley meddling once again after Newcastle had started the season so well.
Hughton a local hero after promotion back to the premiership at the first time of asking, surely this was a massive mistake? Many pundits believed Alan Pardew had one or two games to win the fans over or fight a losing battle without the famous toon army. As it turns out though the decision to ditch Hughton for Pardew was perhaps a brilliant one, with Pardew taking on where Hughton had left off.
Finishing the season in twelth place, without a renound front man and a lack of attacking force was a relatively respectable finish for Pardew's depleated team, but with a promise from the owners to re-invest the £35 million from the sale of Andy Carroll, there was hope on the Tyne side.
Following this the sales of club captain Kevin Nolan and other big names; Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, with little investment at all Newcastle's upcoming season looked doomed.
We believe that a mixture of things have contributed to Newcastle's rise this season. Lack of big stars means lack of big ego's, something Newcastle has suffered painfully with in the past. Look at Michael Owen, Patrick Kluivert and Albert Luque. Pardew has managed to create a team spirit and togetherness at Newcastle something that has seemed to be badly lacking due to numerous managerial changes.
Pardew has also bought well despite being criticised over the summer for selling big names and not buying suitable replacements. The emergence of Yohan Cabeye and Cheik Tiote has given Newcastle strength and vision in the midfield as well as rock solid back four of Danny Simpson, Stephen Taylor, Coloccini and Ryan Taylor which has seen Newcastle have the best defensive record in the league.
Can Newcastle and Pardew build on their wonderful start to the season or will they simply be a flash in the pan i.e Hull City 2009. If Newcastle can continue to do well then surely Pardew will be in the frame to be England Manager.
